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Nexus One phone rockets to 28,000ft

Android in spaaace

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If you've ever wondered what happens when you stick a Google Nexus One phone in a rocket and blast it to 28,000ft from the Nevada desert, then here's your answer:

This fine piece of tomfoolery was the work of rocket fans down at the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation, who provided a launch vehicle for the "Nexus One/Arduino SmallSat", designed to "demonstrate some open source apps that can convert an Android based smartphone into a satellite controller".

Mavericks chairman Thomas Atchison said of the SmallSat concept: "The purpose of flying the Nexus One is to find a low-cost satellite solution. The radio, processing power, sensors and cameras in smartphones potentially have the same capability as those in satellites.”

He added: "Today’s satellites are the size of Greyhound buses, but I believe they are going to get smaller and more frequently deployed. This is a first-step effort.”

If you fancy trying this at home, you'll need said Nexus One (subject to availability), an Intimidator 5 rocket, a parachute, some insurance and a large desert. ®